Surface treating appliance

ABSTRACT

A surface-treating appliance includes a main body, a surface-treating head, and a stand. The stand is located on a rear portion of the appliance and is moveable between a supporting position, in which it supports the main body in an upright position, and a stored position. The stand is moveable between the supporting and stored positions in response to movement of the main body between its upright position and an inclined position.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority of United Kingdom Application No. 0717487.3, filed Sep. 8, 2007, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a surface treating appliance, such as a vacuum cleaner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Surface treating appliances such as vacuum cleaners and floor polishers are well known. The majority of vacuum cleaners are either of the ‘upright’ type or of the ‘cylinder’ type, called canister or barrel cleaners in some countries. A typical upright vacuum cleaner comprises a main body which houses the main components of the vacuum cleaner, such as a motor and fan for drawing dirty air into the machine and some form of separating apparatus for separating dirt, dust and other debris from a dirty airflow drawn in by the fan. The main body also houses filters for trapping fine particles in the cleaned airflow. A cleaner head is rotatably mounted to the lower end of the main body. A supporting wheel is mounted on each side of the lower part of the main body, in a fixed relationship to the main body. In use, a user reclines the main body of the vacuum cleaner and then pushes and pulls a handle which is fixed to the main body of the cleaner. The vacuum cleaner rolls along the floor surface on the supporting wheels.

A dirty-air inlet is located on the underside of the cleaner head. Dirty air is drawn into the dust separating apparatus via the dirty-air inlet by means of the motor-driven fan. When the dirt and dust entrained within the air has been separated from the airflow in the separating apparatus, air is conducted to the clean air outlet by a second air flow duct, and via one or more filters, and expelled into the atmosphere.

Conventional upright vacuum cleaners have a disadvantage in that they can be difficult to manoeuvre about an area in which they are used. They can be pushed and pulled easily enough, but pointing the cleaner in a new direction is more difficult. It has been proposed to make an upright vacuum cleaner more manoeuvrable by substituting a wide rolling support for the supporting wheels, such as is described in our patent application GB2391459. However, such an appliance requires further support when in the upright or vertical position, which can prove cumbersome and unwieldy during use.

It has been proposed to use a support assembly which may be actuated by raising the main body into its upright position and deactivated by pressing an actuator pedal, such as is described in our patent application GB0500992. However, such a support structure may not be intuitive for a user and may therefore be difficult to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly the present invention provides a surface-treating appliance comprising a main body, a surface-treating head, and a stand, the stand being located on a rear portion of the appliance and being moveable between a supporting position, in which it supports the main body in an upright position and a stored position, the stand being moveable between the supporting and stored positions in response to a force being applied to the main body.

In a preferred embodiment the force is movement of the main body between its upright position and an inclined position.

Additionally or alternatively the force may comprise a downwards force applied to the main body.

In a preferred embodiment the main body comprises a handle and/or wand and the force is applied to the handle and/or wand. The handle and/or wand may be located at the top of the main body.

In general, surface-treating appliances are stored with the main body in an upright configuration and used with the body in an inclined position. Therefore the provision of a stand which is movable between the supporting and stored positions automatically in response to a force being applied to the main body, for example movement of the main body between its upright position and an inclined position is more intuitive. The appliance advantageously requires no direct action by a user in order to raise and lower the stand. A user simply applies a downward pressure to the main body and/or tips the main body ready for use and the stand automatically moves into its stored position.

In particular the stand is pedaless or actuatorless and therefore a user does not have to find and compress a pedal or other actuator, for example a leaver or button, in order to move the stand into the stored position. In this way, the stand is operated without any physical manipulation of the stand, any part of the surface treating head or other direct intervention by the user and as such is “automatic” within the meaning of this invention.

Preferably the stand is pivotably moveable between the supporting and stored positions.

To move the stand into the stored position the stand may be movable either in a forward direction or in a rearward direction. If the stand is arranged to move in a forward direction it may be located generally underneath the appliance or alongside a part of the surface treating head in the stored position. If it is arranged to move in a rearward direction it may be folded generally upwardly against the rear of the appliance in the stored position.

In a particular embodiment the stand may be arranged to be moveable from the supporting position to the stored position in response to the main body of the appliance being tipped rearwardly until its weight is over centre of the stand. In a preferred embodiment the stand does not have a balance point. In a particular embodiment this is achieved by ensuring that the centre of gravity of the main body is behind the stand when the stand is at substantially 90 degrees to a floor surface on which the appliance is placed. This is advantageous since a common problem with existing support assemblies is that they may have a balance point at which the support assembly is neither up nor down. This may be dangerous, since if the appliance is left standing at this balance point a small knock to the appliance could result in it falling over, which could damage the appliance and/or cause an injury to a user.

The appliance may further comprise resilient biasing means, for example one or more over-centre spring mechanisms to assist in moving the stand between the stored and supporting positions.

At least one cam mechanism may additionally or alternatively be provided. In a preferred embodiment, the cam mechanism may be arranged such that when the main body of the appliance is raised from an inclined position to its upright position, the cam mechanism urges the stand into the supporting position. The cam mechanism may for example comprise an actuator, for example an actuator located on the surface treating head, or a yoke associated with the surface treating head. When the main body of the appliance is raised from an inclined position to its upright position by a user, the actuator may be arranged to engage with and push against a portion of the stand to urge the stand into the supporting position.

In an embodiment, the appliance may further comprise a wheel or roller which may be rotatably mounted to the main body for allowing the main body to be moved along a surface. The wheel or roller may comprise one or more rotatable members having an outer surface which define a substantially continuous rolling support surface in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the main body, the support surface preferably being symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the main body. The wheel or roller may house a component of the appliance, for example a motor and/or fan arrangement arranged, in use, to generate a fluid flow. The appliance may also further comprise a wand.

Additionally the appliance may further comprise an upright lock for locking the surface-treating head in a fixed position with respect to the main body when the stand is in the supporting position. This advantageously may allow the entire appliance to be lifted of the floor and carried without the surface treating head falling towards the floor. The upright lock may be arranged to be automatically released when the main body is tipped into an inclined position for use.

Although it is desirable to have a stand which will be automatically released when the main body is tipped into an inclined position for use it may also be desirable in certain situations to be able to transport the appliance on wheels of the stand. This may be achieved in several ways whilst still providing an appliance where the stand may be moveable between the supporting and stored positions in response to a force being applied to the main body.

For example in a particular embodiment the upright lock or a portion of the upright lock may also function both to prevent the stand activating accidentally and as the cam for urging the stand into the supporting position. In such an embodiment the upright lock may be associated with an upright lock resilient biasing means, for example an over centre spring. The upright lock and the upright lock biasing means may help to ensure that the stand does not move into its stored position by accident. In a preferred embodiment a downward force may be applied to a wand or handle of the main body. Preferably this force is applied as the appliance is reclined. This downward force may help to overcome the force of the upright lock biasing means. Once the upright lock has been released a stand activating resilient biasing means can act on the stand to move it into the stored position.

In such an embodiment it may be possible to recline the appliance whilst applying no downward force onto the wand or handle, therefore allowing the appliance to be transported on wheels of the stand.

In an alternative embodiment the stand may comprise a pair of legs and at least one lever arm. In a preferred embodiment there is a single lever arm. The lever arm may be arranged to extend alongside one of the legs for example alongside the inner surface of one of the legs. In use the lever arm may be arranged such that it can move the stand into the stored position in response to a user reclining the appliance. The lever arm is preferably pivotally attached at a first end to the main body of the appliance. Preferably the second end of the lever arm further comprises an outwardly facing pin arranged to engage with a groove on the surface of the leg which it is alongside. The stand is preferably arranged such that when it is in the supporting position the pin is arranged at the furthest end of the groove away from the main body of the appliance. In this embodiment the leg of the stand which comprises the groove may also further comprises a cam which is resiliently biased to project into the groove. Therefore when a user reclines the appliance the pin on the lever arm has to move past the cam against the force of the resilient biasing means. Once the pin has passed the cam, it continues to move along the groove as the user continues to recline the appliance further. In this embodiment a stand activating resilient biasing means, for example an over centre spring mechanism may be provided to assist in moving the stand between the stored and supporting positions once the pin has reached a certain point along the groove.

In this embodiment, because the pin has to move past a cam which is resiliently biased to project into the groove, a certain amount of force is required. Advantageously this means that it may be possible to recline the appliance whilst applying no downward force onto the wand or handle, therefore allowing the appliance to be transported on wheels of the stand. Only when enough pressure is applied to the wand or handle, will the pin be able to move past the cam by compressing or distorting the resilient biasing means which are acting on the cam.

In this embodiment at least one return cam mechanism may additionally be provided. In a preferred embodiment, the return cam mechanism may be arranged such that when the main body of the appliance is raised from an inclined position to its upright position, the return cam mechanism urges the stand into the supporting position. The return cam mechanism may for example comprise an actuator, for example an actuator located on the surface treating head. When the main body of the appliance is raised from an inclined position to its upright position by a user, the actuator may be arranged to engage with and push against a portion of the stand to urge the stand into the supporting position. However in this embodiment the pin needs to pass the resiliently biased cam before the stand can reach its supporting position. In order to reduce the force needed to move past the resiliently biased cam the resiliently biased cam may be pivotally mounted to the leg. Having a pivotally mounted cam helps to ensures that the force required to reset the stand into its supporting position is considerably less than the force required to move the stand into the stored position. It may also advantageously help to reduce the risk of the stand being left at a position between the stored and supporting positions. Preferably the leg also further comprises a cam block which is arranged to allow the resiliently biased cam to pivot when the pin moves towards the end of the groove furthest away from the main body of the appliance but not when the pin is moving in the other direction.

The appliance may also further comprise a hose. In such an embodiment, the appliance may also further comprise a hose lock. In a preferred embodiment the hose lock may be arranged to lock the stand in the supporting position during use of the hose, such that if a user applies a rearward pulling force to the hose, the stand does not move into the stored position. This is advantageous as it helps to ensure that the appliance does not fall over whilst the hose is in use. In a particular embodiment the hose lock comprises an abutment member which in use presses against the stand, locking it in the supporting position when the hose is pulled away from the appliance during use. The hose lock is preferably arranged to be automatically released when the hose is stored on the main body.

The appliance may also further comprise a change over valve lock for locking the stand in the supporting position when the wand is in use. In a preferred embodiment the change over valve lock may be arranged to lock the stand in the supporting position on removal of the wand from its storage position on the main body. This is advantageous as it helps to ensure that the appliance does not fall over whilst the wand is in use. In a particular embodiment the change over valve lock comprises an abutment member which in use presses against the stand, locking it in the supporting position, when the wand is removed from its storage position on the appliance. The change over valve lock is preferably arranged to be automatically released when the wand is stored on the main body.

This invention is particularly suitable for inclusion in upright vacuum cleaners, for example upright vacuum cleaners having a wide, ball-like rolling support assembly, but may be applied to more conventional upright cleaners and other domestic appliances. In a particular embodiment the vacuum cleaner may further comprising cyclonic dirt and dust separating means.

The term “surface treating appliance” is intended to have a broad meaning, and includes a wide range of appliances having a surface treating head for traveling over a surface to clean or treat the surface in some manner. It includes, inter alia, appliances which apply suction to the surface so as to draw material from it, such as vacuum cleaners (dry, wet and wet/dry), as well as appliances which apply material to the surface, such as polishing/waxing machines, pressure washing machines, ground marking machines and shampooing machines. It also includes lawn mowers and other cutting machines.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of a surface-treating appliance constructed according to the invention with the stand in the supporting position;

FIG. 2 shows the appliance of FIG. 1 at the point of stand collapse;

FIG. 3 shows the appliance of FIGS. 1 and 2 at the point of stand activation;

FIG. 4 shows the appliance of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 with the stand in the storage position;

FIG. 5 a shows a partial perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention comprising a hose and hose lock, with the hose lock in the unlocked position;

FIG. 5 b shows the appliance of FIG. 5 a with the hose lock in the locked position;

FIG. 6 shows a partial perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention comprising a wand and change over valve lock, with the changeover valve lock shown in the locked (dotted lines) and unlocked positions (solid lines);

FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of the hose lock of the present invention in both the locked and unlocked positions;

FIG. 8 a shows a partial side view of an embodiment of vacuum cleaner according to the present invention showing the stand in the storage position and the upright lock in its unlocked configuration;

FIG. 8 b shows the appliance of FIG. 8 a showing the stand in its supporting position and the upright lock in the locked configuration;

FIG. 9 shows an exploded view of the yoke of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 shows a side view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 shows a side view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 shows a side view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 13 a to 13 c show side views of an embodiment of the present invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

All figures are schematic.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, the surface treating appliance is shown in the form of a vacuum cleaner and is indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The vacuum cleaner 1 comprises a main body 2, a user-operable handle 3 and a large roller 4 for rolling the cleaner 1 along a floor surface 5. The roller 4 houses a motor and fan for generating a suction airflow (not visible in these drawings). The main body 2 houses separating apparatus 6 for separating dirt, dust and other debris from a dirty airflow drawn into the cleaner 1 by the fan and motor.

In this embodiment, the separating apparatus 6 is cyclonic, in which the dirt and dust is spun from the airflow. The cyclonic separating apparatus 6 comprises two stages of cyclone separation arranged in series with one another. The first stage is a cylindrically-walled chamber 7 and the second stage comprises a set of tapering, substantially frusto-conically shaped chambers 8 arranged in parallel with one another. Airflow is directed tangentially into the upper part of the chamber 7 by a duct 9. Larger debris and particles are removed and collected in this cyclonic chamber 7. The airflow then passes through a shroud (not shown) to the set of cyclonic chambers 8. Finer dust is separated by these chambers 8 and collected in a common collecting region. The second set of separators 8 can be upright, i.e. with their fluid inlets and outlets at the top and their dirt outlets at the bottom, or inverted, i.e. with their fluid inlets and outlets at the bottom and their dirt outlets at the top. The nature of the separating apparatus 6 is not material to the present invention.

The main body 2 also houses filters (not visible in these drawings) for trapping fine particles in the cleaned airflow. These filters remove any fine particles of dust which have not already been removed from the airflow by the separating apparatus 6. A first filter, called a pre-motor filter, is provided before the motor and fan. A second filter, called a post-motor filter, is provided after the motor and fan. Where the motor for driving the suction fan has carbon brushes, the post-motor filter also serves to trap any carbon particles emitted by the brushes. Clean air is then expelled to the atmosphere.

A cleaner head 10 is pivotably mounted to the lower end of the main body 2, and serves, in use, to treat the floor surface 5. The lower, floor-facing side of the cleaner head 10 has an air inlet slot 11.

The roller 4 permits the cleaner 1 to be manoeuvered easily along a floor surface 5. However, the roller 4 may not provide sufficient support for the cleaner 1 when the main body 2 is in the upright i.e. vertical or substantially vertical position. To this end, a stand indicated generally at 12 is provided.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, 5 a, 5 b and 6 it can be seen that the stand 12 comprises two legs 13, 14, with a reinforcing strut 15 extending between their top end portions 13 a, 14 a. The bottom end portions 13 b, 14 b of the legs 13, 14 nearest the floor surface 5, in the embodiments shown, further comprise wheels 16. These wheels 16 may however not be present. The wheels 16 are rotatably mounted to each end 13 b, and 14 b of the legs 13, 14. The wheels 16 are arranged inside the legs 13, 14 of the stand 12.

The top end portions 13 a and 14 a of the legs 13, 14 are pivotably mounted to the main body 2 of the cleaner 1. In the embodiment shown the left leg 14 is pivotably mounted to a first protrusion 17 extending from the outlet duct 18 which transports air which has passed through the separating apparatus 6 to an exhaust (not shown). The right leg 13 is pivotably mounted to a second protrusion 19 extending from duct 9 which transports air from the air inlet slot 11 to the separating apparatus 6. This arrangement ensures that the main body 2 bears against the top of the stand 12 when it is in the supporting position as shown in FIG. 1. The stand 12 is arranged such that the bottom ends 13 b, 14 b of the legs 13, 14 protrude rearwardly of the cleaner for better stability. The legs 13, 14 therefore bear at least a part of the load of the cleaner 1 when in the upright position. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the main body 2 is inclined backwards slightly in the upright position shown in this embodiment. Of course the main body 2 could be vertical or inclined forwards slightly in the “upright position”.

The stand 12 also comprises an over centre spring mechanism 20 which assists in moving the stand 12 between the supporting position as shown in FIG. 1 and the stored position as shown in FIG. 4.

When the cleaner 1 is to be used in conventional floor cleaning mode, the user reclines the main body 2. Reclining the main body 2 moves the cleaner 1 towards the position shown in FIG. 2. At the point shown in FIG. 2, the centre of gravity of the cleaner 1 is behind the pivot points of the legs 13, 14 and the spring mechanism 20 forces the stand 12 to move into the stored position shown in FIG. 4. This arrangement is advantageous since it ensures that the stand 12 cannot rest at the balance point shown in FIG. 2 where the stand 12 is neither up nor down. Once the spring mechanism 20 has activated, the stand 12 will move into the position shown in FIG. 4, where the legs 13, 14 and wheels 16 are held off the floor 5 and are preferably tucked under or inside a channel or aperture in a yoke 21, which provides the connection between the main body 2 and the cleaner head 10. When the stand 12 is in the storage position, the main body 2 no longer bears against the arms 13, 14 of the stand 12, but is instead supported by a user holding the handle 3. The cleaner 1 is now able to be used for cleaning a floor surface 5, via the surface treating head 10.

When the user wishes to return the cleaner 1 to the upright position, he pivotally moves the main body 2 back towards the position shown in FIG. 1 via the position shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows the stand 12 about to be activated into the supporting position. As the main body 2 is moved towards the upright position, a region 22 (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 8 b) of the yoke 21 bears against a protrusion 23 extending from an inner surface of the top end 13 a, 14 a of one of the legs 13, 14, urging the stand 12, away from the yoke 21 towards the supporting position. At the point shown in FIG. 3, the spring mechanism 20 forces the stand 12 to move into the support position shown in FIG. 1. This spring mechanism 20 therefore ensures that the stand 12 cannot rest at the balance point shown in FIG. 2 where the stand 12 is neither up nor down. Once the spring mechanism 20 has activated the stand 12 will move into the position shown in FIG. 1, where the legs 13, 14 and wheels 16 are in contact with the floor 5 behind the cleaner 1. Thus, the user may release the handle 3, leaving the main body 2 to be supported by the stand 12. The cleaner 1 is then supported in its upright position. The handle 3 extends upwardly from the rear part of the main body 2. When the cleaner 1 is in the position shown in FIG. 1, it can be used in a so called “cylinder mode”, for above-floor cleaning in which case the handle 3 may be released and used as a hose and wand assembly 24.

In a preferred embodiment the region 22 may be moveably mounted on the yoke 21. This may be achieved by forming a channel 34, for example an arcuate channel in the yoke 21, or a region near the yoke 21. The region 22 may form part of a C or O shaped ring 38 which may be moveably mounted within the channel 34. In a preferred embodiment the ring 38 may additionally be rotateably mounted on a part of a motor bucket (not shown) to which the yoke 21 is attached. In such an embodiment the ring 38 can slide within the channel 34 and around a portion of the motor bucket. FIG. 9 shows an exploded view with an O-shaped ring comprising region 22 removed from the channel 34. However in use the O-shaped ring 38 may sit within the channel 34. Preferably a spring 36 may be fixed at one end to the motor bucket and at the other end to the ring 38 such that the region 22 is biased towards a top end of the channel 34.

This arrangement may advantageously help to prevent the region 22 trying to pass under the ducting 9, 18 during reclining of the vacuum cleaner 1. It may also advantageously prevent the cleaner head 10 from being lifted off the floor 5 once the region 22 has abutted against the ducting 9, 18 during reclining of the vacuum cleaner 1. As the vacuum cleaner 1 is moved from the upright position to the inclined position the region 22 may, rather than attempting to pass underneath the ducting 9, 18 will abut against it. As the vacuum cleaner 1 is increasingly reclined, the region 22 may be caused to slide along the channel 34 by a part of the ducting 9, 18 against the biasing force of the spring 36. When the vacuum cleaner 1 is returned to the upright position, the biasing force of the spring 36 causes the region 22 to gradually return to its original position. In returning to the original position, the region 22 abuts against protrusion 23 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) extending from an inner surface of the top end 13 a, 14 a of one of the legs 13, 14. The biasing force of the spring mechanism 20 is then large enough to push out the stand.

As can be seen in FIG. 6 the vacuum cleaner 1 may comprise a changeover valve 25 which is arranged to open the air inlet at the distal end of the wand 24 a and connect it to the separating apparatus 6 in response to the wand 24 a being released from its storage position on the main body 2 for above ground cleaning. The changeover valve 25 is also arranged to automatically shut off the air inlet at the distal end of the wand 24 a and connect the separating apparatus 6 to the inlet 11 in the cleaner head 10 in response to the wand 24 a being placed in its storage position on the cleaner main body 2.

The changeover valve 25 is pivotably attached to the main body 2 and further comprises a change over valve lock 26. When the changeover valve 25 swivels to open the air inlet at the distal end of the wand 24 a, the change over valve lock 26 is brought into contact with a recess 27 on the reinforcing strut 15 which extends between the top end portions 13 a, 14 a of the legs 13, 14. This engagement of the change over valve lock 26 with the recess 27 locks the stand 12 in the supporting position and therefore advantageously prevents the stand 12 from moving into its storage position accidentally if a user pulls on the wand 24 a or a hose 28 attached thereto.

In an alternative embodiment, for example as shown in FIGS. 5 a and 5 b where the vacuum cleaner 1 comprises a hose 28 and no wand, a hose lock 29 may be provided. The hose 28 is pivotably mounted to the main body 2. When the hose 28 is being used for above the ground cleaning the hose lock 29 contacts the reinforcing strut 15 which extends between the top end portions 13 a, 14 a of the legs 13, 14. This hose lock 29 is shown in more detail in FIG. 7 where it can be seen that the stand 12 can move freely between its supporting and storage positions when the hose 28 is secured to the main body 2 (the upright position shown in FIG. 7) but is prevented from moving into its storage configuration when the hose 28 is pulled away from the main body 2 (the horizontal position shown in FIG. 7), for example during use for above ground cleaning. This hose lock 29 can be described as self tightening since the harder the hose 28 is pulled the tighter the hose lock 29 gets, thus preventing accidental deactivation of the stand 12.

As can be seen in FIGS. 8 a and 8 b, when the cleaner 1 is in its upright position, with the stand 12 in the supporting position (FIG. 8 b), the upright lock projection 23 is caught on the latch 30 and is therefore latched with respect to the main body 2. This enables the user to lift the whole cleaner 1 off the floor 5 without the cleaner head 10 drooping and obstructing manoeuvrability. Tilting the main body 2 rearwardly will release the cleaner head 10 from the latch 30 so that, as the main body 2 of the cleaner 1 is reclined, the head 10 remains in contact with the floor surface 5 to be treated.

In a particular embodiment as shown in FIG. 10, the latch 30 and the upright lock projection 23 may be sized such that they can move past each other, or “bump off” one another if a sufficient force is applied to them. Advantageously this may prevent damage to the vacuum cleaner 1. During use the latch 30 and projection 23 will remain in contact when challenged with the weight of the cleaner head 10 acting under gravity. However if a larger force is applied the projection 23 can move past the latch 30 allowing the cleaner head 10 to droop downwards and preventing any damage to the vacuum cleaner 1.

In addition the latch 30 may preferably be shaped such that whilst the projection 23 can move past it when necessary, the projection 23 cannot get trapped behind the latch 30 once it has moved past it. This may be achieved by having a low profile elongate latch 30.

In one embodiment the latch 30 and projection 23 are provided only to act as a lock to prevent the cleaner head 10 drooping when the whole vacuum cleaner 1 is lifted off the floor 5. The latch 30 and projection 23 may be provided on any suitable part of the cleaner head 10. In an alternative embodiment the function of preventing the cleaner head 10 drooping when the whole vacuum cleaner 1 is lifted off the floor 5, may be performed by the region 22 and the protrusion 23 taking on this function as well as the function of activating and/or deactivating the stand 12.

The main body 2 is rotatably connected to the roller 4, which lies at the base of the main body 2. The roller 4 allows the apparatus to be easily pushed or pulled along a surface 5. The shape of the roller 4 and the connections between the main body 2 and the roller 4, and the roller 4 and the cleaner head 10, allow the cleaner 1 to be more easily manoeuvred than traditional vacuum cleaners.

The overall shape of the roller 4 resembles a barrel. Looking at the shape of the outer surface in the direction along the longitudinal axis, there is a generally flat central region and an arcuate region at each end where the diameter, or width, of the shell decreases. A flat central region aids a user in steering the cleaner 1 along a straight line, since it will naturally run straight and is less likely to wobble during backwards movements. Ridges 31 are provided on the outer surface of the roller 4 to improve grip over surfaces.

The cleaner head 10 is connected to the main body 2 of the vacuum cleaner 1 in such a manner that the cleaner head 10 remains in contact with a floor surface 5 as the main body 2 is manoeuvred through a wide range of operating positions, e.g. when moved from side-to-side or when the main body 2 is twisted about its longitudinal axis. The yoke 21 connects the main body 2 to the cleaner head 10. The yoke 21 is mounted to each end of the rotational axis of the roller 4. The yoke 21 can rotate independently of the main body 2. At the forward, central part of the yoke 21 there is a joint 32, which connects to the cleaner head 10.

The arrangement of the pivotal mounting of the yoke 21 and joint 32, allows the main body 2 together with the roller 4 to be rotated about its longitudinal axis, in the manner of a corkscrew, while the cleaner head 10 remains in contact with the floor surface 5. This arrangement also causes the cleaner head 10 to point in a new direction as the main body 2 is rotated about its longitudinal axis.

The support assembly 12 remains neatly tucked up against the yoke 21 during the cleaner's 1 range of motions. This permits the user easily to manoeuvre the cleaner 1, even when cleaning under furniture and other low obstructions.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show schematic views of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. It can be seen in FIG. 11 that the stand indicated generally at 38 may comprise at least one lever arm (indicated as 40 in FIG. 11, in FIG. 12 the lever arm 40 has been removed). The lever arm 40 is arranged to extend along the inside of one of the legs 42 of the stand 38. In use the lever arm 40 may be arranged such that it can move the stand 38 into the stored position in response to a user reclining the vacuum cleaner 1. The lever arm 40 is preferably pivotally attached to a pivot point 43 at a first end 44 of the lever arm 40 to the main body 46 of the vacuum cleaner 1. Preferably the second end 48 of the lever arm 40 further comprises an outwardly facing pin or projection 50 which is arranged to engage with a groove 52 on the surface of the leg 42 which it is alongside. The stand 38 is preferably arranged such that when it is in the supporting position (as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12) the pin 50 is arranged at the furthest end of the groove 52 away from the main body 46. In this embodiment the leg 42 of the stand 38 which comprises the groove 52 may also further comprises a cam 54 which is resiliently biased by a spring 56 to project into the groove 52. Therefore when a user reclines the vacuum cleaner 1 the pin 50 on the lever arm 40 has to move past the cam 54 against the force of the spring 56. Once the pin 50 has passed the cam 54, it continues to move along the groove 52 as the user continues to recline the vacuum cleaner 1 further. In this embodiment further resilient biasing means, for example an over centre spring mechanism 58 may be provided to assist in moving the stand 38 between the stored and supporting positions once the pin 50 has reached a certain point along the grove 52.

In this embodiment, because the pin 50 has to move past a cam 54 which is resiliently biased to project into the groove 52, a certain amount of force is required. Advantageously this means that it may be possible to recline the vacuum cleaner 1 whilst applying no downward force onto the wand or handle 62, therefore allowing the vacuum cleaner 1 to be transported on wheels 60 of the stand 38. Only when enough downward force is applied to the wand or handle 62, will the pin 50 be able to move past the cam 54 by compressing or distorting the spring 56.

In this embodiment at least one return cam mechanism may additionally be provided. This return cam mechanism may be as described above in the previous embodiment. However in this embodiment the pin 50 needs to pass the cam 54 before the stand 38 will be in its supporting position. In order to reduce the force needed to move past the cam 54 the cam 54 may be pivotally mounted at a pivot point 64 to the leg 38. Preferably the leg 42 also further comprises a cam block 66 which is arranged to allow the cam 54 to pivot when the pin 50 moves towards the end of the grove 52 furthest away from the main body 46 but not when the pin 50 is moving in the other direction towards the main body 46.

FIGS. 13 a to 13 c show schematic views of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In FIGS. 13 a to 13 c only one leg 67 of the stand 68 can be seen. In this embodiment an upright lock indicated generally at 70 is operated by a resilient biasing means, in this case an over centre spring 72. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 13 a it can be seen that the upright lock 70 is in contact with a cam 74 on the leg 68. In such an embodiment it may also be possible to recline the machine onto the wheels 82 of the stand 68 whilst applying no downward force onto the wand or handle, therefore allowing the vacuum cleaner to be transported on the wheels 82 of the stand 68.

In a preferred embodiment when the vacuum cleaner is reclined and a downward force is applied to the wand handle the force being applied to the upright lock 70 by the spring 72 is overcome. This causes the spring 72 to over centre and release the cam 74 from the upright lock 70. Once the upright lock 70 has been released a further over centre spring 80 can act on the stand 68 to move it into the stored position as shown in FIG. 13 c. When a user tries to stand the vacuum cleaner up to move the stand into the supporting position the projection 76 on the yoke 78 moves back into the aperture 84 on the upright lock 70 and drives the upright lock 70 back into the position shown in FIG. 13 a where the stand is in the supporting position.

While the illustrated embodiments shows a vacuum cleaner 1 in which ducts 9, 18 carry airflow, it will be appreciated that the invention can be applied to cleaners 1 which carry other fluids, such as water and detergents.

Separation of dust from the airflow could equally be carried out using other means such as a conventional bag-type filter, a porous box filter, an electrostatic separator or some other form of separating apparatus. For embodiments of the apparatus which are not vacuum cleaners, the main body can house equipment which is appropriate to the task performed by the machine. For example, for a floor polishing machine the main body can house a tank for storing liquid wax

The head 10 may also carry a brush bar (not shown) which may be connected to and driven by a motor (not shown). The brush bar can alternatively or additionally be driven in other ways, such as by a turbine which is driven by incoming or exhaust airflow, or by a coupling to the motor which is also used to drive the suction fan. The coupling between the motor and brush bar can alternatively be via a geared coupling. In alternative embodiments the brush bar can be removed entirely so that the machine relies entirely on suction or by some other form of agitation of the surface. For other types of surface treating machines, the cleaner head can include appropriate means for treating the floor surface, such as a polishing pad, a liquid or wax dispensing nozzle etc. The lower face of the cleaner head can include small rollers to ease movement across a surface. 

1. A surface-treating appliance comprising: a main body, a surface-treating head, and a stand, the stand being located on a rear portion of the appliance and being moveable between a supporting position, in which the stand supports the main body in an upright position and a stored position, the stand being moveable between the supporting and stored positions in response to a force being applied to the main body.
 2. A surface-treating appliance according to claim 1 wherein the force is movement of the main body between its upright position and an inclined position.
 3. A surface-treating appliance according to claim 2 wherein the force further comprises a downwards force.
 4. A surface-treating appliance according to claim 1 wherein the main body comprises a handle or wand and the force is applied through the handle or wand.
 5. A surface-treating appliance according to claim 4 wherein the handle or wand is located at the top of the main body.
 6. An appliance according to claim 1 or 4 wherein the stand is arranged to be moveable from the supporting position to the stored position in response to the main body of the appliance being tipped rearwardly until its weight is over centre of the stand.
 7. An appliance according to claim 1 or 4 further comprising a resilient biasing member to assist in moving the stand between the stored and supporting positions.
 8. An appliance according to claim 7 wherein the resilient biasing member comprises one or more over-centre spring mechanisms.
 9. An appliance according to claim 1 or 4 wherein the stand further comprises at least one cam mechanism which is arranged such that when the main body of the appliance is raised from an inclined position to its upright position the cam mechanism urges the stand into the supporting position.
 10. An appliance according to claim 9 wherein the cam mechanism comprises an abutment member located on the surface treating head which engages with and pushes against a portion of the stand when the main body of the appliance is raised from an inclined position to its upright position, urging the stand into the supporting position.
 11. An appliance according to claim 1 or 4, further comprising a wheel or roller which is rotatably mounted to the main body for allowing the main body to be moved along a surface.
 12. An appliance according to claim 11 wherein the wheel or roller comprises one or more rotatable members having an outer surface which defines a substantially continuous rolling support surface in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the main body, the support surface being symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the main body.
 13. An appliance as claimed in claim 12, wherein the wheel or roller houses a component of the appliance.
 14. An appliance as claimed in claim 13, wherein the component comprises a motor and fan arrangement arranged, in use, to generate a fluid flow.
 15. An appliance as claimed in claim 1 or 4, further comprising an upright lock for locking the surface-treating head in a fixed position with respect to the main body when the stand is in the supporting position.
 16. An appliance according to claim 15 wherein the upright lock comprises a projection on the stand and a latch on the surface treating head.
 17. An appliance as claimed in claim 16 wherein the projection is able to move past the latch to prevent damage to the appliance.
 18. An appliance according to claim 15 wherein the upright lock or resilient biasing member associated with the upright lock prevents the stand from moving into the supporting position until a force is applied to the main body.
 19. An appliance according to claim 18 wherein the force is a downwards force sufficient to overcome the resilient biasing means associated with the upright lock.
 20. An appliance as claimed in claim 1 or 4 further comprising a hose.
 21. An appliance according to claim 20 further comprising a hose lock, which is arranged to lock the stand in the supporting position during use of the hose.
 22. An appliance according to claim 21 wherein the hose lock comprises an abutment member which locks against the stand when the hose is pulled away from the appliance during use.
 23. An appliance according to claim 4 further comprising a change over valve lock which locks the stand in its supporting position when the wand is in use.
 24. An appliance according to claim 1 or 4 wherein the appliance is transportable on wheels of the stand.
 25. A vacuum cleaner comprising the apparatus of claim 1 or
 4. 26. A vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 25 further comprising a cyclonic dirt and dust separator.
 27. (canceled) 